This position is located in the Health Information Management (HIM) Section of Patient Business Service at the Cincinnati VA Medical Center.

Duties

Major Duties: Demonstrates skill in budgeting, contracting, procurement and property management. In the absence of the CHIM, incumbent functions as Acting Chief of HIM, and is responsible for the overall management of the Section's program and function. Provides expertise, guidance and direction and has responsibilities relative to providing supervision, administrative support, coordination, and technical assistance in the planning, development and maintenance of an effective, comprehensive, and integrated HIM Program at this Medical Center. Responsible for assisting physicians and other health professionals in obtaining health record information to be used in research projects. Advises on what material is available, how it may be obtained and the uses that can be made of the information while protecting the confidentiality of the record. Aids in a variety of projects and is responsible for screening, abstracting and tallying data from records and computer-generated reports. May serve as a consultant to provide guidance and advise researchers on methods for gathering data. Assists in selected miscellaneous retrospective health record review/data abstraction projects to support medical center Quality Management data collection activities. Provides effective audits and monitors for all areas of responsibility, assuring that accurate and timely data is processed by all employees. Reviews work accomplished and assesses quality, quantity, accuracy and timeliness of work produced by each employee. Ascertains problems encountered and takes corrective action. Develops performance standards and conducts performance evaluations. Develops and conducts competency assessments. Responsible for carrying out established personnel functions and practices. Keeps employees informed about important aspects of personnel management programs. Formulates and initiates performance standards. Interviews prospective employees, recommends selections, and carries out training and development of assignments, awards or disciplinary action. Approves leave and establishes work schedules. Implements provisions of EEO programs to ensure fair and equal treatment for all employees. Coordinates monthly staff meetings and prepares timely/accurate minutes. Work is of an analytical, evaluative, and creative nature, and incumbent is responsible for keeping abreast of constant changes in the health information field as well as allied medical fields and applying the information and knowledge gathered to the operations of the hospital. The incumbent prepares training materials and participates in orientation and instructional activities as required. Incumbent advises management and hospital staff members on policies, procedures, and adequacy of record content, and on training and teaching of clerical personnel in health record functions. Incumbent participates in various health record review activities. Assists the CHIM with the development, evaluation, and updating of office procedures, manuals, policies and directives. May be required to develop training materials and continuing education programs. Training programs developed and conducted by employee may include medical terminology, health record documentation requirements, Release of Information, Privacy Act and HIPAA instructions. Assistance is also provided in formal and informal service training and orientation of house staff as well as other members of the health care team regarding medical record functions and quality content. Assists the CHIM in identifying and setting short and long range goals, program objectives and tasks to meet the mission and vision of the medical center. Demonstrates skill in budgeting, contracting, procurement and property management. In the absence of the CHIM, incumbent functions as Acting Chief of HIM, and is responsible for the overall management of the Section's program and function. Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 am-4:30 pm Telework: 1-2 days per pay period Virtual: This is not a virtual position. Functional Statement #: 91412-O Relocation/Recruitment Incentives: Not Authorized Permanent Change of Station (PCS): Not Authorized Financial Disclosure Report: Not required

Requirements

Qualifications

Applicants pending the completion of educational or certification/licensure requirements may be referred and tentatively selected but may not be hired until all requirements are met. Basic Requirements: United States Citizenship: Non-citizens may only be appointed when it is not possible to recruit qualified citizens in accordance with VA Policy. Experience. Three years of [creditable] experience in the field of medical records that included the preparation, maintenance, and management of [health] records and health information systems [demonstrating a knowledge of medical terminology,] medical records [procedures, medical coding, or medical, administrative, and legal requirements of health care delivery] systems. OR, (2) Education. [Successful completion of a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university [recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, with a major field of study in health information management, or a related degree. OR, Education. [Successful completion of a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university [recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, with a major field of study in health information management, or a related degree with a minimum of 24 semester hours in health information management or health information technology.] OR, Experience/Education Combination. Equivalent combinations of [creditable] experience and education that equals 100 percent may be used to meet basic requirements. [For example, two years above high school from an accredited college or university, with 12 semester hours in health information technology/health information management, plus one year and six months of creditable experience that included the preparation, maintenance, and management of health records and health information systems meets an equivalent combination. May qualify based on being covered by the Grandfathering Provision as described in the VA Qualification Standard for this occupation (only applicable to current VHA employees who are in this occupation and meet the criteria). Grade Determinations: In addition to the basic requirements for employment, the following criteria must be met when determining the grade of candidates. Experience. One year of creditable experience equivalent to the next lower grade, GS 11 level that demonstrates all the KSAs described at that level., AND Certification. Employees at this level must have a HIM Certification. AND Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: i. Skill in managing various projects and processes], which includes the ability to develop new or improved solutions to complex technical problems in health information management. ii. Ability to advise management and staff [on a wide range of] health information [management practices] based on current [industry] standards, [policies, statutes, laws, and regulations]. iii. Ability to plan, justify, [develop, evaluate,] assess, [monitor,] and/or advise on [ ] current health information management processes, and recommend changes in policies or procedures. iv. Ability to [determine] and [evaluate compliance with legal, ethical, and regulatory guidelines, and accrediting bodies as they] apply [to] health information [management.] v. Ability to successfully apply principles and techniques of sound [resource] management [(i.e., staffing, space, contracts, equipment).] vi. Ability to provide the full range of supervisory duties to include assignment of work, completing performance evaluations, selection of staff, and recommendation of awards, advancements, and disciplinary actions. Assignments. This assignment serves as the Assistant Chief in VA Medical Centers for all categories (1a, 1b, and 1c) within the complexity level 1 as designated in the VHA, "2014 Facility Complexity Level Model". The ACHIM assists the CHIM in establishing policies, responsibilities, and requirements for HIM related matters, such as health record documentation, coding and clinical documentation improvement, records management, release of information, file room/scanning, transcription and medical speech recognition, as well as the overall management of health information and Veterans' health records. They assist the CHIM in identifying and setting short-range and long-range goals, program objectives, and tasks to meet the mission and vision of the medical center. The ACHIM monitors and manages HIM workflow to ensure the program objectives are met. The ACHIM assists with planning, developing, directing, and II-G33-10 May 28, 2020 VA Handbook 5005/130 PART II APPENDIX G33 evaluating health information and other functions. They oversee implementation and adherence to HIM industry standards, policies, procedures, laws, regulations, and accrediting bodies. They ensure the facility is in compliance with applicable standards by completing HIM audits, developing healthcare data reports, and statistical information, for timely and accurate reporting. They establish, implement, and monitor HIM performance through metrics, productivity measures, benchmarking, and other applicable tools. The ACHIM ensures quality and efficiency for all areas and processes of the HIM department. References: VA Handbook 5005/130 PART II APPENDIX G33 The full performance level of this vacancy is 12. Physical Requirements: The work is basically sedentary. Some walking, standing, bending, and carrying items such as books, papers, boxes, laptop, and files are also required.

Education

IMPORTANT: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

Note: Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for Federal employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript in order to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.

Contacts

• Address Cincinnati VA Medical Center 3200 Vine Street Cincinnati, OH 45220 US
• Name: Kelly Webb
• Email: [email protected]